ACL MD4: Tractorsazi Tabriz vs Al Ain Preview

AFC- TABRIZ, Confident Al Ain coach Zlatko Dalic believes victory for the inaugural AFC Champions League winners over Iran’s Tractorsazi Tabriz on Tuesday will be enough to secure a place in the knockout stage of this season’s competition.

Last month’s 3-1 home win over Tabriz, which was secured thanks to two goals from Ghanaian striker Asamoah Gyan, saw 2003 AFC Champions League winners Al Ain move two points clear at the top of the Group C table.

And while a third win of the campaign on Tuesday would not mathematically secure Al Ain’s return to the knockout stage for the first time since 2006, Dalic is confident nine points will be enough to seal passage regardless of the result between Al Ittihad and Lekhwiya on Wednesday.

“We are here to play a good game and get a good result. We won the first leg 3-1, although we have a lot of respect for Tractorsazi Tabriz,” he said.

“The big problem for us is the weather conditions. It’s snowing here and the temperature here is very different from our home, but that will not be regarded as an excuse for us since we are here to win.

“Tractorsazi Tabriz are very strong, especially their fantastic playmaker Ali Karimi who could be very difficult for us.

I know many fans will support them tomorrow afternoon, which is normal when they’re playing home, so I’m sure it will be a different game from the first leg, but we are determined to win.

“Our first target is qualifying from the group phase and then we will see what happens. If we win tomorrow our place in the knockout stage will be guaranteed, but at the moment the group is open for every team to qualify.”

Dalic will be without Ibrahim Diaky due to suspension, although fellow midfielder Ahmed Barman is eligible to return after missing last month’s win.

Tabriz, along with Qatar’s Lekhwiya, currently sit just two points behind Al Ain in the Group C table having seen their unbeaten record ended last month.

And coach Toni Oliveira is boosted by the return of both goalkeeper Hamed Lak and defender Mohammad Nosrati after the pair missed Tabriz’s previous outing due to suspension.

“It’s a difficult game for both teams, but we are motivated and prepared to win this match,” said Tabriz coach Oliveira.

“We might have small chances, but we will use them to win. I believe my players have enough motivation to play with 100% determination.

“Asamoah Gyan is the player who makes the difference for Al Ain. He scored two goals in the last match and is an influential player.

We will try with our collective organisation to stop him because he can win the match for his squad at any given moment.

“For us Ali Karimi is very important, but I hope my team will be in good shape with or without Ali Karimi.”